EDITORS: Can you hear me, choir? I liked everything Rick Levin said in his article, "May the Best Man Win" [Sept 21]. The problem is that it's not that accessible to the people who should read it most. He's preaching to the choir.
I hate to advocate dumbing things down, but most people who have enough of an interest in Nader to read the whole thing were probably already planning to vote for him. That said, you make great points, Rick. I am as frustrated as you when I hear people say a vote for Nader is a vote for Bush, as if Gore is a better choice in any way. I'm glad the article was written; I'm glad those things were said (I love the way you word things!); but maybe in the coming weeks you could say it all again.
Jacob Stevens, Seattle
DEAR EDITOR: Part of me would like to vote for Ralph Nader. However, I'm not convinced that to do so would be the wisest course of action. I do not believe that the American people are ready to accept a truly progressive government, and I'm sure they aren't ready for a revolution. I do believe that they are willing to accept gradual, incremental change, however. By accepting that reality, and voting for Gore, I am making a politically mature decision to accept political evolution, as opposed to the fantasy of political revolution. Not only will Gore lead us--gradually--in the direction of a more progressive nation, but he is also still the best hope we've got for keeping that son-of-a-Bush out of the White House.
It has been less than 20 years since the religious right began to take over the Republican Party. Not only do they seem to have accomplished that goal, they have also had a very noticeable impact on the national dialogue. Who says progressives can't do the same thing within the Democratic Party? If the people who are backing Nader would put as much time and energy into participating in the Democratic Party, they would soon find themselves writing the platform and selecting the presidential nominee.
Shane Hatch, Seattle
EDITORS: I would like to thank Rick Levin for writing the most articulate defense of "throwing one's vote away" I have read yet. He managed to say all the things I have been trying to say since I was ridiculed for my Nader vote in 1996.
I thought Levin's talk about "sacrifices" made for the greater good and his analogizing of the situation to a war were perfectly apt. [Levin's arguments] reflected my own thoughts about my patriotic duty, voting my conscience, and fertilizing the tree of democracy with the blood of revolution. But then I got to thinking about those sacrifices, and who would really be making them. For all their similar rhetoric, entrenchment in the system, and alliances with corporate interests, Bush and Gore are not the same. Not really. From Supreme Court and bureaucratic appointments to tax plans and legislative decisions, you can bet that a Bush administration will be a lot friendlier to businesses, the religious right, the wealthy, and all kinds of other people whose interests are opposed to those of us who agonize over "throwing our vote away" to Nader.
And who would be hit the hardest? Not me. A Bush administration might piss me off to no end, but I'm too middle-class, straight, white, and college-educated to get hurt. It's hard to admit, but my Nader vote, if it puts Bush in office, will affect me almost not at all, while the shitstorm gets a hell of a lot heavier on the poor and disenfranchised. I don't think I'm changing my vote, but just to play devil's advocate, I wanted to remind people that there is a difference and there are real consequences.
Ryan Thatcher, Seattle
EDITORS: Rick Levin's enthusiasm for the "distant horizon" of a Nader-topia doesn't surprise me. When you live in a nice, safe, liberal enclave like Seattle or Portland, it's easy to fall in love with the image of yourself as a person of conscience, fighting the Man for the distant future of demo-cracy. Bush has stated that his favorite Supreme Court justices are Scalia and Thomas, and if elected, he has said he'd like to appoint more like them. If Bush gets elected, it won't be Rick Levin or other local Nader enthusiasts who sacrifice for democracy. It will be pregnant teenage girls living in Missouri or Utah. As someone who grew up in rural Colorado during the Reagan years, I don't see voting for Nader as an act of conscience--I see it as a grotesque act of self-indulgence.
Le'a Kent, Seattle
EDITOR: Nader supporters portray Gore and Bush as equally bad. If this were true, a vote for Nader might be justified. But it is not true. If you really want to see where the important differences are, just wait until Bush gets his hands on the Supreme Court: Say goodbye to Roe v. Wade. Say goodbye to the separation of church and state (e.g., vouchers giving public money to religious schools, prayer in schools). And don't even think about a future for gay rights. These are REAL differences between Gore and Bush. Please don't gamble with my civil rights to make a point. On November 7, vote for Gore.
David Nixon,Seattle
CHARLES MUDEDE: I'd like to thank you for your attention to the recent incident in Tacoma ["Perfect Crimes," Sept 21]. Erik Toews was a friend of mine. His beating happened about two blocks from my house, while I was at a bar that the two of us frequented. My friends blame the cops, and maybe they're right. Maybe the cops could have patrolled more and looked for this group of kids. My reaction was similar to the opinion you have in your article: There are bigger social issues behind this crime. My feelings about Eric's death are mixed, but having read your article I feel a bit more grounded. Thanks.
Chris Sharp, Tacoma
DEAREST EDITOR-TYPE-PERSON: I consider Mr. Schmader to be a brilliant social commentator and an extremely funny man. Wait, there's more! Despite his considerable talents, you must, for the love of humanity, stop his "War Against Public Grooming." At first it was hilarious, but his last depiction of the repugnant denture-sucking man [Last Days, Sept 21] was so overwhelmingly disgusting that it nearly ended my life. I beg of you, no matter how over-the-top the next transgression may be, don't print it.
Aaron Robinson, Seattle
DEAR EDITORS: Is it true that Master Adrian Ryan is a mere staff writer for your esteemed paper? It's just that after meeting Mr. Ryan and reading his review of Podunk Production's The Show ["Easy Charm," Sept 28], it dawned on us that he is the smartest goddamned person we know. So, to that end, we would like to propose a change. We DO NOT propose that Adrian assume some other journalist's position; a new position should be created especially for him. The position, say, of Editor of Everything That Is Good and Right and Holy. We trust you, oh Stranger, to do the right thing--after all you hired Adrian Ryan and sent him to review our show.
Jake, Brendan, Jon, Keri, Therese, and Podunk Productions
EDITORS: Regarding Rachel Kessler--as a chef and artist, [I have] to tell you that this woman has NO business writing about food or restaurants ["Eat Me," Sept 21]! Sure, a restaurant whose employees actually read The Stranger can get bagged on... getting bagged on is fair, all people have an opinion; Kessler's, unfortunately, is complete bullshit. Reading her articles is like reading the diary of a 12-year-old who's pissed off because Mommy and Daddy made her eat eggplant or broccoli. At the [post-premiere reception that] Kessler and 40 other "freebies" showed up for, they consumed the following in 30 minutes:
30 lbs. flank steak (not "roast beef," dumb ass!)
6 baguettes
8 lbs. imported Spanish cheeses--Monje, wine-washed goat cheese, Mahone, Idiazebell, and Garoxta
375 "stinky" scallop and potato croquettes (26 lbs.)
1/2 gallon marinated olives
5 lbs. spiced olives
1 qt. roasted poblano chili dipping sauce
2 qts. pineapple and plantain salsa
[This] free buffet wasn't enough? Maybe Kessler has never sat down and experienced a great meal, or maybe she doesn't care about food--this would be my opinion. After reading her reviews and columns, I'm more inclined to think that getting drunk off of cheap drinks is more important to her than eating something palatable in a restaurant. As I said, we are all entitled to our opinion. Unfortunately, I'm not a paid journalist--Kessler is.
Chef Bryce Lamb, Tango restaurant, Seattle